Goodbye and Hello!

Change is inevitable in the scheme of things. Each of us will bid a fond farewell to people and places that have meant a great deal to us in our lives. Sometimes those places evolve into something new with all the promise of continuing to serve an important role in our lives or the lives of others.

This week the demolition sign went up outside St. Peter's Church on North State Street. The building will soon be taken down and in its place will be built a new living community. St. Peter's has existed in that location since 1956. While I may not attend Mass as regularly as I did while growing up in that Parish, walking past the building has always provided a measure of comfort, peace, and a wealth of memories. Memories of weddings, funerals, First Communions and even more importantly the sense of community that St. Peter's always embodied. I cannot imagine a more dedicated group of devout individuals than those who attended St. Peter's. The suppers, the church fairs including the justifiably renowned Christmas Fair. The raffles and yard sales and the St. Patrick's Show which was regularly presented at the City Auditorium. The building was much more than just a building. It represented the lives, the work, and the joys and heartaches of thousands. It will be missed. One can hope, however, that the homes to be built on the site, will be filled with families and friends who will create their own set of memories and lives well lived.

On Friday afternoon, I attended an informal celebratory event at the Concord Theatre. There was a toast, led by Steve Duprey, to the next chapter in the building's long existence. The Closing had taken place on the structure as it officially changed hands from Steve to the Capitol Center for the Arts. Construction on the project to turn it into a second location for the Capitol Center, is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 23.

Fifty-one years ago, as a young teen in 1967, I went to work at the Concord Theatre and remained until the last picture show in September of 1994. The original building which was built in the mid-1800's was once the Norris Bakery. Theresa Cantin's father, a successful developer and contractor, much like Steve Duprey, had converted the building into a theater in 1933. Theresa began working there at the age of 19, in 1933, eventually owning the building and remaining there until the end.

In the past year I've spent over 1700 hours researching and writing the fabled story of the theater for an upcoming book to be published in conjunction with the planned reopening in the spring of 2019. The plans that have been put together, are exciting and will enable the Capitol Center to expand its offerings for all members of the community, whatever their taste in music, comedy, theater or the arts. I have a feeling that Theresa would be thrilled.

As I walked around the theater on Friday afternoon, one last time, I realized that the next time I stand inside, it will bear little resemblance to what it now looks like beyond the exterior. However, more than likely in the early 1930's as Mr. Cantin was turning it into a theater, someone who had worked at Norris Bakery may have stopped by and recalled the years they'd been there. Ultimately the important factor is that a piece of our past will remain in a form that will continue to provide a purpose for our community.

It was obvious on Friday afternoon that the group assembled was excited. I thanked Steve for stepping in and working with the Aznive family and the talented group from the Capitol Center. He was the maestro who helped make the music soar. Nicki Clarke, the E.D. of the Capitol Center and her team which includes Joe Gleason, Steve Martin and Katie Collins to name but a few, have created orchestrations that guarantee something special will occur at 18 1/2 South Main Street.

It's not too late to become involved with a donation toward being a part of the future of our local entertainment scene. Contact Katie Collins at the Capitol Center at 603.225.1111 ext. 106 or kcollins@ccanh.com.